Country music's 2009 Grammy Award contenders

There’s a healthy showing of country-music talent nominated in this year’s 51st Grammy Awards, which will be broadcast Sunday, Feb. 8, from Los Angeles on CBS beginning at 8 p.m. (Eastern/Pacific).

In fact, one knows it’s going to be a great Grammy year for the genre when the powers that be select a country artist to help announce the nominations, and this go around they elected to have country starlet Taylor Swift serve as co-host for that prime-time broadcast event, where all learned who had been given the nod.

There are a number of compelling contests in this year’s Grammy event, but among the 2009 nods that may of particular interest to country fans are the nominations held by longtime Lone Star country-music icon George Strait,who's nominated in four categories this time.

Somewhat surprisingly, in all his years of chart-topping, record-breaking recording artist and big-arena concert draw, the singing cowboy's yet to win a Grammy over the course of his three decades on the country-music scene. Although this writer isn't the gamblin' kind, my bet is on Mr. Strait to rope one in this year; thus, "Grammyless George" shouldn't be an accurate moniker for the white-hatted one this time next year. (Cross your fingers, George fans.)

Also in this year’s contest, this writer is especially hoping to see Tompkins Square recording artist Charlie Louvin, who made his name as one-half the Country Music Hall of Fame-inducted duo The Louvin Brothers, score a much-deserved Grammy in the Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album area. (He was nominated last year, but it managed to elude him. My money’s on Charlie to take this one, and if not, call 9-1-1 so 'cause someone's been robbed!)

Of course, the country masses are rootingfor newcomers Lady Antebellum to pull it out on the trio’s first go at the Grammy this year. The players—Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood—are the lone country act in their category, and let’s face it, if they lose to The Jonas Brothers, there could be rioting—in my living room, if nothing else. (It's probably relevant to note here that I have a teen son, not a daughter, so Lady A's music rules at our place, not the Jonas boys.)

This writer is also closely watching the songwriting category, where every nominee is a winner. However, Nashville tunesmith Lee Thomas Miller, who pens under the BMI publishing umbrella, has not one, but two songs nominated in the Best Country Song contest; namely, "You're Gonna Miss This," which was recorded by Trace Adkins, and "In Color," a track he penned with co-writers/recording artists James Otto and Jamey Johnson. ... Looks like it will be a double nail-biter in the Miller home these days.

As for Grammy-trivia buffs, it may be of interest to note that bluegrasser/country artist Alison Krauss has won more than 20 Grammys to date, which is more than any other female in Grammy history, thanks to her talents as a solo artist, producer, collaborator and member of Union Station.

For a full overview of the country, bluegrass and country-gospel artists, albums, songs and songwriters in this year’s contest, as well as their competition, please access 51st Grammy Awards: 2009 Country Music Nominees.

• This year's Grammys air Sunday, Feb. 8, on CBS. Check local listings to ensure accuracy of live broadcast time.

Grammy-Bound: Living Music Legend Charlie Louvin Releases New CD for Tompkins Square label

Rare is the instance when I get the opportunity to call someone a "legend," because one of the many tried 'n' true writing rules I learned way back when in journalism school was that such an adjective is reserved for those who no longer walk this plane.

In other words, one must no longer breathe air for me to be able to apply this term to him or her, no matter how seemingly worthy one may be. (Yes, I know you probably see writers calling folks who are alive "legends" or "legendary" relatively frequently, but I assure you they were not trained by the hard-core, old-school journalists who beat me over the head with the journalist's Bible, the Associated Press manual.)

At any rate, it's with great joy that I'm able to make mention of low-tenor/guitarist Charlie Louvin, one-half the legendary gospel/bluegrass-meets-country duo known as the Louvin Brothers, who's having a mighty prolific recording surge at the ripe and ever-creative age of 81. His late brother, high tenor/mandolinist Ira Louvin, tragically died in summer 1965 in a car accident, but the duo's music goes on and on. (My story on the brothers is linked to here, above.)

Rainsville, Ala., native Charlie, who now calls Bell Buckle, Tenn., home, has accrued an incredibly impressive recording and music career over the decades, both with his late brother, whom he still misses dearly, and as a solo artist.

Charlie's record label, Tompkins Square in New York, released this living legend's latest album offering, Charlie Louvin Sings Murder Ballads & Disaster Songs, on Dec. 9, 2008. Life's hardships have etched their way into the prolific octenegarian's voice, but it makes this selection of tragedy-rooted songs all the more intriguing. It's a must-listen for fans of old-time country, bluegrass, Americana and gospel.

Grammy Alert: Charlie's Steps to Heaven CD, released earlier in 2008, is nominated in the 51st annual Grammy Awards' "Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album" category. This year's awards will be held Feb. 8, 2009, in Los Angeles.

• Note: Check out the music video for "Ira," a poignant song Charlie wrote and recorded in honor of his beloved brother in life and song. It's worth waiting through the commercial for on the CMT site linked to herein.